A Change of Heart

Chapter 13

I sit in front of my laptop. Desk jobs are so boring, I can’t even remember what made me decide to get a job here. My legs are aching to move. Sitting in a chair for 13 hours straight (unless you have to go to Joanna's office) is definitely not good for you. I hear the doors open. Did someone just come in?

I look up from my cubicle to see a tall and serious man. He has on a black suit with beautiful gold embroidery. His hair looks so soft and in place. He has a light beard that makes him look so important. He probably has every woman looking at him.

I'm not wrong about that one, because all the girls and even a few guys are going gaga over him. Even the female security guards are drooling. He has a bunch of bodyguards around him, no surprise there. He heads to Joanna's office, causing some of the workers to turn their heads.

Joanna's business partners never come from this door in the front. They usually go through some secret door, so we don't see them. I guess this guy is different. About an hour later, he comes back out. Everyone's staring at him again. I can't blame them, he's a real catch.

The moment he leaves, Joanna's PA calls me. Can't I just get a break? I drag myself to her office and go in.

"Howard, you saw the man that came in, right?" Joanna asks. I nod.

"That was the man you delivered the package too," Joanna said. My jaw dropped. It was him!? But the house was so... Wouldn't he live in a mansion or something? If he can afford that many bodyguards, surely, he can afford a bigger home.

"That was... him?" I croak.

"I called him in to make sure the package was still in good shape when he got it. He said everything was fine," she explains.

"It was a pleasure Ms. Clieves," I say.

"He wants you to deliver his packages from now on," she says. I want to drop to my knees and cry. Now I have to deliver his packages from Joanna!? Does he not realise he lives an hour away from this building and my house!? Joanna dismisses me and I walk out. This job just keeps getting better.

Work ends and I head to my car. I see the guy leaning against it with his bodyguards around it. Am I about to get jumped?

"So, this is the infamous delivery boy who gave me my package," he says. His voice is low and smooth, like a powerful mafia boss in those romance movies.

"I'm... Howard," I say.

"Well Howard, thank you for successfully bringing my package," he grins. I look at him, confused.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Well, all of Joanna's other employees just went half of the way and paid someone to go the other half. You're the only one who dropped it off at my house, and you even put it on my porch," he explains. Wait, why didn't I think of that? I could have driven 20 miles (32 km) and paid someone to do the rest. Gosh, I'm so stupid.

"Just doing my job," I smile, trying to hide my anger. He lets out his hand for me to shake it. I shake his hand. His grip starts tightening. I try to pull my hand away, but he squeezes it. Soon, I can barely feel my hand from how hard he's squeezing it.

"Listen to me Howard. If you try to cheat your way out of this, you're going to be in big trouble with my men and I," he smiles. I nod quickly. I'm biting my tongue so hard, I think it's going to start bleeding. He finally lets go of my hand and I sigh in relief.'

"I'm glad that's settled, good evening, Howard," the man walks away with his bodyguards. My hand is almost bright red. Damn! He's really strong!

I go into my car and drive home, trying to act like nothing happened. I go inside my house and fall straight on my bed.

Great. Not only am I stuck with my miserable job, now I'm a delivery boy too. Can't I just get a break? I go to bed and head to work the next day. My hand still hurts from yesterday, and it's still red. Did he break my hand or something?

I wince every time I type with that hand. It hurts so bad. Soon, I give up and just work with my good hand. It's a bit annoying, but at least I'm in less pain.

I think the guards started noticing that I'm working with only one hand, cause one of them has left to get Anna. Anna looks calmer than the last time she came to me.

"What happened now?" she whispered.

"Some rich guy almost broke my hand," I answer. She nods and checks my hand.

"Well, you're right that it's not broken, but I'm still going to need to put a bandage on it," she says.

"My left hand has a finger down, now my right hand's not working. Should I type with my teeth now?" I say. She giggles as she wraps a bandage around my hand.

"There, all done," she says. She kisses my cheek and leaves.